Ivan Perisic is nearing the end of his loan spell at Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga champions are yet to take a call on the Croatian winger’s future at the club.
Perisic joined Bayern Munich from Inter Milan last season on a season-long loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent for €20 million. The Bavarians had also signed Barcelona outcast Philipp Coutinho on a similar deal.
Initially, Bayern were linked with Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, but the German sustained a serious cruciate ligament injury against Liverpool in the Community Shield and was sidelined for a long time.
Therefore, Bayern Munich’s then-head coach Niko Kovac turned his attention towards Perisic, whom he had coached during his stint with the Croatian national team.
Ivan Perisic’s troublesome spell at Bayern Munich
Niko Kovac was sacked by Bayern Munich in November after a series of unimpressive results, with Hansi Flick replacing the Croatian. But Flick has used Ivan Perisic sparingly since taking charge.
Injuries haven’t helped the on-loan Inter Milan winger’s case, as he fractured his ankle in February, but managed to recover in time for Bayern’s first game post the coronavirus-enforced break against Union Berlin last weekend.
Die Roten prevailed 2-0 in the end, with the 31-year-old winger making his first appearance from the bench, since the injury layoff.
In total, he has made 16 appearances in the Bundesliga so far this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists.
However, Bayern Munich chief executive Rummenigge has stated that the Bavarians are undecided whether to retain Perisic beyond this season.
Bayern Munich CEO admits being in two minds over Ivan Perisic
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was recently quizzed about the club’s stance on whether they will take up the chance to sign Perisic permanently, after which he insisted that they will keep monitoring the winger’s performances and take a decision soon.
“We have not spoken because Perisic has just come back after the foot injury.
“But with [Inter chief executive Giuseppe] Marotta I have a really very friendly relationship, let’s see when he will play a few games. We will talk to each other because even the player will want to know where he will play.
”If I know where he will play? It is not yet decided.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Should Bayern Munich sign Ivan Perisic permanently?
The Bavarian are still in the hunt to replace the duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. Their first-choice target, Leroy Sane suffered a major injury setback at the start of the season, but the German is nearing full fitness now.
Ivan Perisic has been a good plan B, but given his age and profile, the Croatian winger won’t be a long-term solution to Bayern Munich’s needs.
Sane, on the other hand, ticks all the boxes. He’s young, will add to the German core of the team, and is the perfect candidate going forward.
The Manchester City star, who is blessed with sheer pace, has become a very intelligent player since leaving the Bundesliga to play under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
Perisic too has played in the Bundesliga before, with Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg, but clearly, his best days are behind him, and that’s why Inter Milan were looking to offload him in the first place.
The Verdict: Goodbye Ivan Perisic, Welcome Leroy Sane
Bayern Munich already have Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller, and Serge Gnabry, vying for places on the flanks, and given their eagerness to sign Leroy Sane, making Perisic’s loan move permanent wouldn’t make sense for the Bundesliga giants.
Between Perisic and Sane, the German winger would definitely be the first choice, and so there’s no point in spending money on a bench-warmer. The Allianz Arena outfit should instead, turn their attention, on adding Sane to their ranks, as soon as possible.
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